---
title: ".msg file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .msg file is an Outlook Message. Outlook's own single-message format, carrying Outlook-specific fields. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/msg/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .msg files

**.msg file: Outlook Message**

Outlook's own single-message format, carrying Outlook-specific fields.

## What opens a .msg file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Outlook, MSG Viewer tools
- **macOS:** Microsoft Outlook
- **Linux:** msgconvert (libpst) then any mail client

## What a .msg file is

MSG is what Outlook writes when you drag a message to the desktop. It uses Microsoft's compound-file structure and keeps Outlook-only properties such as categories, flags and voting buttons that a plain EML would lose. Outlook on Windows and Mac opens it; elsewhere you need a converter or a viewer, since standard mail clients do not read the format.

## Converting it

A .msg file is commonly converted to .eml, .pdf, .html or .txt. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .msg
- **Full name:** Outlook Message
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.ms-outlook
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .msg file?

On Windows use Microsoft Outlook; on macOS use Microsoft Outlook; on Linux use msgconvert (libpst) then any mail client. Outlook's own single-message format, carrying Outlook-specific fields.

### What is a .msg file?

Outlook Message. MSG is what Outlook writes when you drag a message to the desktop. It uses Microsoft's compound-file structure and keeps Outlook-only properties such as categories, flags and voting buttons that a plain EML would lose.

### Can I convert a .msg file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .eml, .pdf, .html or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)